CVE-2014-8375 in GB Gallery Slideshow
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in GBgallery.php in the GB Gallery Slideshow plugin 1.5 for WordPress allows remote administrators to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the selected_group parameter in a gb_ajax_get_group action to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2025
The CVE-2014-8375 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the GB Gallery Slideshow WordPress plugin version 1.5, specifically affecting the GBgallery.php component. This vulnerability exploits a lack of proper input validation and sanitization in the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the web application's interface. The flaw is particularly concerning because it targets the administrative functionality of the plugin, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data and potential system compromise. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin processes the selected_group parameter within the gb_ajax_get_group action, which is executed through the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php endpoint that serves as WordPress's AJAX handling interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the plugin's backend processing logic. When administrators access the gallery management features through the WordPress admin panel, the selected_group parameter is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw falls under the CWE-89 category of SQL Injection, specifically manifesting as an unauthenticated SQL injection attack vector that leverages existing administrative privileges. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that manipulate the SQL query structure, potentially allowing them to extract database contents, modify user credentials, or execute arbitrary commands on the underlying database server. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only administrative access to the WordPress site, which attackers might have obtained through other means such as credential theft or privilege escalation attacks.
The operational implications of CVE-2014-8375 extend beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with potential persistence mechanisms and lateral movement capabilities within compromised WordPress environments. Successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to establish backdoors, modify website content, or use the compromised site as a launching point for attacks on other systems within the network. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used plugin means that numerous WordPress installations could be at risk simultaneously, creating a significant attack surface for threat actors. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as credential access and privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to leverage existing administrative credentials to gain deeper system access. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify vulnerable WordPress installations, followed by exploitation of the SQL injection flaw to execute arbitrary commands, ultimately leading to persistent access and potential data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8375 require immediate action from WordPress administrators, including the mandatory upgrade of the GB Gallery Slideshow plugin to a patched version that implements proper input validation and parameterized queries. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and database query monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date plugins and themes, as well as implementing proper access controls and least privilege principles for WordPress administrative accounts. Organizations should conduct regular security audits of their WordPress installations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes. Additionally, database access logging and monitoring should be enabled to detect unusual query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while regular backups should be maintained to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful compromise. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for secure coding practices and the importance of input validation in preventing SQL injection attacks across all web applications.